WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R- Iowa) and Barbara A. Mikulski (D- Maryland) say the National Science Foundation failed to respond to a government investigation of on-the-job porn surfing.
According to reports, the investigation tracked the online viewing habits of more than 30 employees for more than a decade. The New York Times reports that one NSF senior staff member allegedly used his office computer to watch live sex online and also chat with cam girls.
"I am trying to learn how to use cam2cam capability on your AsianBabes.com site," he allegedly wrote in an e-mail, according to the Times. "I do not seem to be able to do that."
NSF spokesman Jeff Nesbit said the accused employee is no longer with the agency, while others have been disciplined or let go. He also added the NSF is conducting its own review of the allegations.
But that's not enough for Grassley and Mikulski.
"Clearly, NSF's current polices and their implementation are apparently insufficient to deter, among other things, inappropriate Web access for the purpose of viewing sexually explicit material," the pair wrote.
The letter claims the agency failed to respond properly to five of 11 cases of either viewing porn in the office or sexual harassment incidents. The Senators also claimed the foundation hasn't disciplined one agency veteran of 20 years who admitted to surfing for porn in the workplace.
The NSF responded it's been "unable to substantiate allegations sufficiently enough to support disciplinary action."
According to the Times, other charges leveled at the agency include senior employees using government travel funds for liaisons with subordinates.
